If you want a business to carry your product, publish your writing or consider your proposal, you'll need to write a submission letter -- often called a query letter. These business letters should succinctly convey clear and substantive information about your submission and should pique the business owner's curiosity. Doing so increases your likelihood of receiving a response from the business.

1. Format your letter using standard business letter formatting. Use letterhead or put your name and contact information in the right corner of the letter. The business owner's name and address goes two lines below your address on the left side. Put a date two lines below the owner's address on the left side and provide an "Re:" line. Use this line to convey information about the topic of your proposal. Use title case. For example, if you are contacting a magazine, the line might read, "Re: Proposal for Article About Childhood Obesity."

2. Begin your letter with a one-sentence summary of your submission or proposed submission. This line might say something like, "I am enclosing a story about the socioeconomic factors that increase the likelihood of childhood obesity."

3. Add a paragraph providing more detailed information about your submission. For example, if you wanted to submit handmade jewelry to a craft store, you might say, "My jewelry is made from polymer clay and metal. I primarily make pieces inspired by nature, and much of my jewelry includes flowers, trees and animals." This paragraph should give the reader sufficient information to understand what is contained in your submission -- even if you are enclosing the submission with the letter.

4. Provide a brief paragraph about your background as it pertains to your submission. Don't include extraneous information such as your life story. Instead, explain, "I have worked as a nutritionist for 20 years and have written numerous pieces about childhood obesity." If there is something unique in your background that makes you especially qualified to provide a submission, include this.

5. Close the letter with a final paragraph explaining what you want the letter reader to do. This might include information about how to purchase your product, your current rates for buying your work and other pertinent information. End the letter with a valediction such as "sincerely" or "yours truly" and then sign the letter.

Tips

Check the letter for spelling, grammatical and formatting errors.

The information you provide about your submission should be compelling but succinct. Don't walk the reader through your entire creative process or include unnecessary information. The reader should leave with a good understanding of your submission that leaves her wanting to know more.

Warning

Letters that are too long may not be read. Strive to keep your letter to one page and no longer than two pages.

About the Author

Van Thompson is an attorney and writer. A former martial arts instructor, he holds bachelor's degrees in music and computer science from Westchester University, and a juris doctor from Georgia State University. He is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including a 2009 CALI Legal Writing Award.